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The Roles Of Tid1, Ndj1, And Spo16 In Distributive Segregation During Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Meiosis, Ethan Atticus Shaw

Master's Theses

Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division in sexually reproducing eukaryotes. Crossovers are physical connections formed between homologous chromosomes during meiosis; these connections help ensure normal segregation of homologous chromosomes at meiosis I. However, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other eukaryotes can still segregate homologs properly even in the absence of some crossovers. This is due to a backup mechanism known as distributive segregation, which correctly segregates non-crossover chromosomes at a higher rate than if segregation were completely random. To study distributive segregation, we have generated diploid yeast with one homeologous chromosome pair consisting of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome …

Effects Of Polydatin On In Vitro Bovine Embryo Developmental Competence, Metabolism, And Cryopreservation, Corie Marie Owen

Master's Theses

Bovine in vitro produced embryos suffer from poor developmental competence and altered metabolism which hinders their cryotolerance. Overall, the goals of this thesis were to improve oocyte and embryo culture with the antioxidant polydatin and to optimize slow freezing procedures. This thesis was designed as three experiments, and in each experiment, oocytes were aspirated from abattoir ovaries, matured for 23h, fertilized with semen from 1 of 3 bulls, and cultured in synthetic oviductal (SOF) based medium (SCF1) in 38.5 °C in 5% O₂, 5% CO₂ and 90% N₂. Stage 7 blastocysts were stained with Nile …

Assessment Of Granulovirus, Spinosad, And Mating Disruption For Controlling Cydia Pomonella L. [Lepidoptera: Tortricidae] In Organic Coastal California Apple Orchards, Raven Lukehart

Master's Theses

Codling moth, Cydia pomonella[Lepidoptera: Tortricidae], is a major entomological pest of apples, pears, and walnuts cross the world (Pajac et al. 2016). Female codling moths lay eggs on the apple exocarp and larvae burrow within the fruit causing economic losses to fruit growers.Organic apple orchards in San Luis Obispo, CA currently have three codling moth, Cydia pomonella,control options commercially available including granulovirus (CpVG), spinosad, and mating disruption. In field tests on apple (Malus), we compare percent fruit injury between treatments of granulovirus (2.43 oz/ha Cyd-X® organically approved, Certis USA, Columbia MD), spinosad (4.05 oz/ha Entrust® Naturalyte® …

Coastal Wetland Dynamics Under Sea-Level Rise And Wetland Restoration In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico Using Bayesian Multilevel Models And A Web Tool, Tyler Hardy

Master's Theses

There is currently a lack of modeling framework to predict how relative sea-level rise (SLR), combined with restoration activities, affects landscapes of coastal wetlands with uncertainties accounted for at the entire northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM). I developed such a modeling framework – Bayesian multi-level models to study the spatial pattern of wetland loss in the NGOM, driven by relative RSLR, vegetation productivity, tidal range, coastal slope, and wave height – all interacting with river-borne sediment availability, indicated by hydrological regimes. These interactions have not been comprehensively investigated before. I further modified this model to assess the efficacy of restoration …

Spatial Distribution And Stock-Recruitment Analysis Of The Atlantic Surfclam, Spisula Solidissima, In The Mid-Atlantic Bight And On Georges Bank, Jeremy Timbs

Master's Theses

Atlantic surfclams, Spisula solidissima, are long-lived bivalve molluscs with dispersive larval stages. Surfclam patchiness throughout the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has declined from the 1980’s to the present in all assessed regions (Delmarva, New Jersey, Long Island, Southern New England, and Georges Banks). Warming of Mid-Atlantic bottom waters is driving the surfclam stock into new habitat and extirpating the surfclams from nearshore areas. Based on a species distribution function model, the small surfclams appear to inhabit a greater area than the large market-size surfclams across the entire stock. The wider distribution of recent recruits relative to the fishable …

Creating Renewable Energy Through The Pairing Of Wastewater Remediation And Biofuel Production With Two Species Of Microalgae, Laura Brown

Master's Theses

In this study, two species of microalgae, Scenedesmus sp. isolated locally and Chlorella sorokiniana (UTEX 1230) were grown in municipal wastewater collected from Stennis Space Center, MS in order to assess whether or not the microalgae could remediate the wastewater into a clean and usable form while also producing the biomaterials necessary for fuel and other useful byproducts. Each species was cultured in 16 ˚C and 30 ˚C to assess functional variabilities at different times of the year. The microalgae’s ability to decrease nutrient concentrations in the wastewater and produce lipids and protein was assessed at three different growth stages: …

Evaluation Of Endothelial Cell Responses To Elevated Glucose, Gabriella Sugerman

Master's Theses

Developing a tissue-engineered Blood Vessel Mimic (BVM) to represent diabetic macrovascular disease could expedite design of new vascular devices specifically tailored to diabetic patients. In contribution toward this model, this thesis assessed Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) responses to high glucose conditions. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and Cluster of Differentiation 36 (CD36) were selected to signify oxidative stress activity, a hallmark of diabetic macrovascular disease. Next, activity of potential reference genes B2M, HPRT1, and ACTB was assessed. All genes were found to exceed acceptable variability, so the E-ΔC T method of data analysis was selected. Next, cellular responses to high …

Enzymatic Activation Of Cannabinoid Pro-Drugs, Anna Theresa Margiotta

Master's Theses

Cannabinoids have been used throughout history as medical treatments spanning from menstrual cramps in ancient China to enhancing appetite in patients with AIDS or cancer in the modern day. Currently there is research indicating that cannabinoids also have anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on several strains of cancer cells (Carchman, Harris, & Munson, 1976; Glodde, Jakobs, Bald, Tüting, & Gaffal, 2015; McKallip et al., 2002; Preet, Ganju, & Groopman, 2008; Sánchez, Galve-Roperh, Canova, Brachet, & Guzmán, 1998). The traditional methods for administration of cannabinoids are inhalation or oral; however, for some cannabinoids these may result in undesirable psychoactive side effects. Cell-in-a-Box® …

Crossing Corridors: Wildlife Use Of Jumpouts And Undercrossings Along A Highway With Wildlife Exclusion Fencing, Alex J. Jensen

Master's Theses

Roads pose two central problems for wildlife: wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) and habitat fragmentation. Wildlife exclusion fencing can reduce WVCs but can exacerbate fragmentation. In Chapter 1, I summarize the relevant studies addressing these two problems, with a focus on large mammals in North America. Chapters 2 and 3 summarize field assessments of technologies to reduce WVCs and maintain connectivity, specifically jumpout ramps and underpasses, along Highway 101 near San Luis Obispo, CA. In a fenced highway, some animals inevitably breach the fence and become trapped, which increases the risk of a wildlife-vehicle collision. Earthen escape ramps, or “jumpouts”, can allow …

Uptake Of Common Pharmaceutical Compounds In Hydroponically Grown Lactuca Sativa, Dorottya Ida Kelemen

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Sh3bp2 Gain-Of-Function Mutation Exacerbates Apical Periodontitis In Cherubism Mice, Homan Javaheri

Master's Theses

Cherubism (CBM) is characterized by multiple fibro-osseous lesions in jawbones and caused by mutations in the SH3-domain binding protein 2 (SH3BP2). CBM patients also suffer from dental abnormalities. Biochemical analyses showed that mutations in CBM lead to SH3BP2 gain-of-function because mutant SH3BP2 is protected from tankyrase-mediated proteasomal degradation. A knock-in (KI) mouse model expressing a CBM substitution mutation (P416R) in Sh3bp2 has been generated. Homozygous mice (Sh3bp2^KI/KI) show increased systemic inflammation and osteopenia phenotype with high serum TNF-α level, increased numbers of macrophages and enhanced osteoclastogenesis. Heterozygous mice (Sh3bp2^+/KI) exhibit intermediate phenotype …

Extraction Of Biologically Relevant Oligopyrrolic Compounds From Nature, Randy Hamchand

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Δ15n And Trace Metal Records Of 17th To 20th Century Land Use Change In Upland Connecticut Watersheds, Caitlin Mcmanimon

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Spinal Cord Injury On Expression Of Pain-Relevant Genes In The Colon, Noelle Mckearney

Master's Theses

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in varying degrees of paralysis, loss of normal sensory function and, oftentimes, chronic pain originating below the level of injury. Post-SCI pain tends to be resistant to traditional analgesic therapies and has been shown to impair recovery of function, making it a significant healthcare concern. Approximately one third of SCI patients report abdominal pain as a primary and severe symptom with marked similarity to other functional gastrointestinal pain disorders (e.g. irritable bowel). The etiology of this intense pain phenotype is unclear given that visceral organs are left uninjured in SCI. Here we examine changes in …

Evaluation Of Post-Graduate Endodontic Program Clinical Experiences: A Web-Based Survey, Jonathan David Blacher

Master's Theses

Endodontic residency programs vary in exposure to procedures, protocols and equipment across the United States. Available resources for clarifying the clinical experiences of current endodontic residents are lacking. Following Institutional Review Board approval, a survey regarding the clinical experiences of current endodontic residents was electronically distributed to all current endodontic residents that maintained an email address listed in the 2016/2017 AAE Membership Directory. The number of endodontic procedures, techniques employed, and products utilized were evaluated and described. The results of the survey included a 30% completion rate (133/437). The majority of respondents indicated completing between: 150-250 non-surgical root canals (NS-RCT), …

Comparison Of The Effect Of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate And Bioceramics Root Repair Material On Odontoblast Differentiation In Vitro, Saleh Ashkanani

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Oral Colonization Of Malassezia Species, Anibal Cardenas

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Destoning And Enzymatic Pretreatments On The Biofuel Production From Olive Cake, Patrick Tai

Master's Theses

More than 16,000 tons of olive cake was produced in the United States in 2017. Olive cake is a by-product of olive oil extraction, which has limited animal feed potential, and poses an environmental threat when landfilled due to its high organic load and polyphenol content. This residue has potential for biofuel (bioethanol and biomethane) production because it is rich in polysaccharides such as pectin, hemicellulose, and cellulose. Yet, olive cake contains olive stones that can impede its conversion to biofuel. Therefore, two methods of destoning, centrifugation and screening by horizontal screw press, were first compared. Both methods removed an …

Nonpoint Source Bacterial Pollution In The Coyote Creek Watershed, Elisabeth Wilkinson

Master's Theses

Nonpoint source pollution is a global challenge affecting streams and rivers. Due to the highly dispersed nature of nonpoint sources, they are difficult to track and manage. The goal of this study was to assess the extent of bacterial pollution along Coyote Creek in Northern California and to provide insight on microwatershed characteristics and their potential correlation to bacteria loads. Samples were collected and analyzed for fecal indicator bacteria concentrations at 21 geographic locations from within the creek and its stormwater outfalls. E. coli levels within Coyote Creek and stormwater entering the creek exceeded recreational water quality standards. Stormwater outfall …

Chemical Competition Between Microscopic Stages Of Macrocystis Pyrifera And Five Native Kelp Species: Does Giant Kelp Always Lose?, Maria Suzanne Christensen

Master's Theses

The giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera is often considered competitively dominant to other kelp species due to its high productivity. However, on the microscopic level, previous studies found that Macrocystis can be inferior to other kelp species through microscopic interspecies chemical competition. Recruitment failure can be caused by neighboring kelps because there is no species specificity in the stereochemistry of the signaling chemical used during reproduction to initiate spermatozoid release; therefore, Macrocystis spermatozoid release is pre-empted by that of its competitors. To date, this interaction has been tested between Macrocystis and only one other kelp taxon, Pterygophora. To test whether Macrocystis …

Relationship Between Aerobic Capacity And Episodic Memory In Older Adults, Nicole Henderson

Master's Theses

The goal of this research was to examine the relationship between aerobic capacity and memory in older adults. Prior research demonstrated an age-related decline in episodic memory (memory for episodes and events), which may be partially due to a decreasing ability to engage in pattern separation – the ability to form new memories that are sufficiently distinct from prior memories. Studies in rodents suggested that aerobic exercise may improve pattern separation abilities in older animals, but similar research in humans is lacking. Here, I investigated whether individual differences on a memory test that taxes pattern separation were associated with differences …

Migration, Individualism And Dependency: Experiences Of Skilled Women From The Former Soviet Union In Silicon Valley, Ievgeniia Zasoba

Master's Theses

An academic dialog concerning the intersectionality of national origin, economic class and gender, as mutually constitutive elements of migration, set the context for my inquiry into the experiences of wives who are barred from paid labor by their restricted visa status. Guided by grounded theory, I conducted seventeen semi-structured qualitative interviews to examine ways in which a move to Silicon Valley under a restricted visa class changes the self-image of women, and how they evaluate this change. I found that the ambiguous agency construct of women socialized in the Soviet and post-Soviet eras facilitated their choice to migrate despite the …

Patients’ Satisfaction With Existing Dry Mouth Therapies And Willingness To Pay For An Artificial Salivary Gland, Akanksha Srivastava

Master's Theses

Objectives: 1) To evaluate the effect of xerostomia and satisfaction with xerostomia therapies on patients’ oral health related quality of life (OHQoL); 2) To evaluate patients’ willingness-to-adopt and willingness-to-pay for an artificial implantable salivary gland.

Methods: A survey was conducted to obtain patients’ satisfaction with current xerostomia management strategies, effect of Xerostomia on their oral and general health, willingness to adopt an artificial salivary gland pump, and willingness-to-pay for the implantable device.

Results: A total of 107 individuals responded through either a paper-based questionnaire or online survey. Individuals with Sjögren’s syndrome and Radiation-related xerostomia had significantly poorer OHQoL compared …

A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Outcomes Of Open-Versus Closed-Surgical Exposure Of Palatally Impacted Maxillary Canines: A Pilot Study, Suha Alghamdi

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Biomarkers Of Orthodontic Tooth Movement With Fixed Appliances And Vibration Appliance Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Stacey M. Reiss

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Selectivity Of The Lower Kellwasser Mass Extinction Event (Late Devonian) In The Appalachian Basin, Jaleigh Quai Pier

Master's Theses

Mass extinctions are often associated with multiple environmental perturbations. For example, the Upper and Lower Kellwasser Events (the two pulses of the Frasnian-Famennian mass extinction in the Late Devonian) coincide with both global cooling and ocean anoxia/dysoxia. Assessing the selectivity of extinction—which types of organisms survived versus died—can help constrain which environmental changes were most important as kill mechanisms. Here, selectivity is examined with respect to several factors during the Lower Kellwasser Event. A thick package of siliciclastic sediments was deposited in the Appalachian Foreland Basin during the Late Devonian. Thanks to recent stratigraphic revisions, the Kellwasser Events can be …

Analysis Of Potential Vermicompost Market In California, Jason Alan Thomas

Master's Theses

Vermicompost transforms agricultural waste into a high quality soil amendment, though market acceptance remains in its infancy. This study examines how growers’ willingness to pay for vermicompost is affected by grower’s crop, region, income per acre, knowledge level of vermicompost and compost, previous use of compost, and the willingness to pay for compost. The survey results pulled together 223 responses from California growers. It was discovered growers’ had less knowledge of vermicompost than compost but were willing to pay more for vermicompost. There was statistical difference amongst the responses. It was shown the market value per ton of vermicompost lies …

Software Requirements Classification Using Word Embeddings And Convolutional Neural Networks, Vivian Lin Fong

Master's Theses

Software requirements classification, the practice of categorizing requirements by their type or purpose, can improve organization and transparency in the requirements engineering process and thus promote requirement fulfillment and software project completion. Requirements classification automation is a prominent area of research as automation can alleviate the tediousness of manual labeling and loosen its necessity for domain-expertise.

This thesis explores the application of deep learning techniques on software requirements classification, specifically the use of word embeddings for document representation when training a convolutional neural network (CNN). As past research endeavors mainly utilize information retrieval and traditional machine learning techniques, we entertain …

Towards Autonomous Localization Of An Underwater Drone, Nathan Sfard

Master's Theses

Autonomous vehicle navigation is a complex and challenging task. Land and aerial vehicles often use highly accurate GPS sensors to localize themselves in their environments. These sensors are ineffective in underwater environments due to signal attenuation. Autonomous underwater vehicles utilize one or more of the following approaches for successful localization and navigation: inertial/dead-reckoning, acoustic signals, and geophysical data. This thesis examines autonomous localization in a simulated environment for an OpenROV Underwater Drone using a Kalman Filter. This filter performs state estimation for a dead reckoning system exhibiting an additive error in location measurements. We evaluate the accuracy of this Kalman …

Field Investigation Of Stream-Aquifer Interactions: A Case Study In Coastal California, Devin Pritchard-Peterson

Master's Theses

This study is a detailed investigation of the dynamic interaction between a stream and an alluvial aquifer at Swanton Pacific Ranch in the Scotts Creek watershed in Santa Cruz County, California. The aquifer is an important source of groundwater for cropland irrigation and for aquatic ecosystem support. The potential for groundwater pumping to deplete Scotts Creek stream flows is a source of serious concern for land managers, fisheries biologists, and regulatory agencies due to the presence of federally protected steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). An understanding of the interaction between the stream and pumped aquifer will …